Chapters 5 and 6 Summary

John Grimes is Hornblower's steward, and he is fairly inefficient. Hornblower attempts to have a good breakfast, which is a meal of which he is notably fond. Grimes is ignorant of how to prepare coffee, so Hornblower instructs him. Grimes' constant expressions of surprise anger Hornblower, and the resultant brew is lukewarm and gritty. Hornblower looks forward to a breakfast of eggs from the meager supplies provided by Mrs. Mason but Grimes hesitatingly informs him that half of them are bad. Hornblower then discovers that even the jam provided is black currant, his least-favored flavor. Throughout, Grimes nearly quakes with fear that Hornblower will have him flogged for the poor performance. Finally, the terrible meal ends.

Hotspur then cruises past the entrance to Brest harbor, maintaining a respectable distance so as not to provoke the French. Hornblower sends men aloft to...