Cf. Great-go: the final examination for the B. A.

nurse

»I had been ‘nursing’ her, as we say in the political world, for years.» (The Prude’s Progress 67. 20.)

A young author.

Political slang: used of a candidate for Parliament who seeks to ingratiate himself with the electors by paying them attentions and giving them things they like with a view to securing their votes when the election takes place. Here used of trying to prepare a young lady’s mind to accept a proposal of marriage when the moment comes to make it.

pater, mater

»I say to myself I’ll do a thing, but the mater talks and talks, and——.» (Sketches 41. 12.)

A young gentleman.

»I promised the Mater I would, and I did.» (Sketches 80. 30.)

The same.