Reading them, I generally get the feeling the O'Brian was just being reticent and polite and eliding the sex parts. (Which, yes, I'm sure would mortify the guy if he was still alive. I'm reporting how I feel, not what I think, OK?)
I also have the feeling that O'Brian was just being polite, and I think it's quite possible that he *wouldn't* be mortified. Because he certainly likes to make sexual jokes - Stephen discussing the "little cock" on his diving bell, and the wonderful "Pray take off your breeches and bend over that locker" line. He also isn't coy about discussing sodomy, as in Jack and Stephen's discussion of the "No penetration, no sodomy," rule in one of the later books, and quite a few other examples.
no subject
I also have the feeling that O'Brian was just being polite, and I think it's quite possible that he *wouldn't* be mortified. Because he certainly likes to make sexual jokes - Stephen discussing the "little cock" on his diving bell, and the wonderful "Pray take off your breeches and bend over that locker" line. He also isn't coy about discussing sodomy, as in Jack and Stephen's discussion of the "No penetration, no sodomy," rule in one of the later books, and quite a few other examples.
Wonderful recs, as always!