It's HILARIOUS. HILARIOUS. Oh man. I left this one out totally by accident:

Bush cocked an eye at him across the table and thought better of his first idea of making an appreciative comment on the food. If his queer Commodore chose to be in a bad mood it was best to leave him to it -- Bush was better than a wife, thought Hornblower, his acute perceptions noting the gesture.

Could we get more with the gay and the penis metaphors and the GAY?

In all seriousness, though, if you've never read the books, don't let the silliness in these sectiosn put you off them. I'd love the books violently and passionately even in the total absence of the gay. The writing is that brilliant and interesting.