Horatio Hornblower

I've started reading the Horatio Hornblower novels. They're short and sort of popcorny, so I'm already on the third one. This is my impression of the books so far:

Captain Hornblower: I must speak to no one, lest any human contact besmirch my PERFECT STRONG SILENT MASCULINITY. So I'll just stalk around scowling and privately doubting my perfect strong silent masculinity. And hating myself. OMG I'M SO LONELY.

Lt. Bush: *casts longing looks*

A Crisis: *approaches*

Hornblower: Jargonize the topsails! Obfuscate the futtock-shrouds!

Bush: Have I mentioned how much I admire you? I mean, in the last five minutes or so? Because I really, really admire you.

Hornblower: Ha hm. *goes away blushing and thinks about how much he admires the brave and manly Bush LOOK I DIDN'T NAME THE CHARACTER OKAY*

Another Crisis: *approaches*

Bush: Oh, look, another crisis! Perhaps there'll be a situation of terribly grave danger. Or I might be wounded. In either cases, I would then be permitted to hold your hand in a manly way.

Narrator: Bush loves Hornblower like a son. I said LIKE A SON. Yes. Really. Stop sniggering and listen to me!

Needless to say, I'm enjoying them quite a lot.