Authors:
  • They will not be pleased. But they know we must catch the monsoon with a well-found ship; and they know they are in the Navy--they have chosen their cake, and must lie on it.' You mean, they cannot have their bed and eat it.' No, no, it is not quite that either. I mean--I wish you would not confuse my mind, Stephen.

    Patrick O'Brian (1991). “H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.204, W. W. Norton & Company