As the Hornblower novels progress, Bush often worries that Hornblower is depriving himself not only of food and rest, but also of human contact. Although Bush is an excellent judge of character, he is not a diplomat, and he must often keep his concern for his sensitive friend to himself as Hornblower is inclined to snap when Bush expresses it. Their friendship survives because of Bush's perseverance. In "Hotspur", Hornblower decides that Bush is as resigned to the vagaries of Hornblower's mood as he is to the vagaries of wind and weather.