I recall a friend who had recently been promoted to MACR commenting to the boss one day how delighted he was that since his promotion he and his wife were permitted to read books and drink sherry. Barrack Stores had been round to his quarter earlier to deliver the additional MQ inventory items to which he was now entitled: a bookcase and six sherry glasses.
If I recall correctly he still wouldn't have been able to play cards though. Card Table: 'officer' for the use of.
Reading between the lines, it seems to me that you did indeed "have a problem" by the very fact you "suggested" that the steward apologise for what was in fact a very amusing comment/action which caused no harm to anyone. This is obviously explained by one being a gentleman and t'other being a steward.
I think that he was hoping that everyone would have forgotten the following day and didn't want to get a b
ing which he didn't.