Mamie waited on him

[shootingstar]

About a week after the picnic to which he escorted Mamie, Pinkerton avowed the state of his affections. From what I had observed on board the steamer - where, methought, Mamie waited on him with her limpid eyes - I encouraged the bashful lover to proceed; and the very next evening he was carrying me to call on his affianced.
"You must befriend her, Loudon, as you have always befriended me," he said, pathetically.
"By saying disagreeable things? I doubt if that be the way to a young lady's favour," I replied; "and since this picnicking I begin to be a man of some experience."
(The Wrecker by R. L. Stevenson and L. Osbourne, chapter vii, published 1892)

I have an issue with the phrasal verb wait on there. Please, what does Mamie waited on him mean there? Could it have an unfavourable or even derogatory meaning there, or can it have an unfavourable meaning to any degree - I mean, is there a situation in any way where wait on can have an unfavourable meaning?

 

[Marika33]

I have an issue with the phrasal verb wait on there. Please, what does Mamie waited on him mean there? Could it have an unfavourable or even derogatory meaning there, or can it have an unfavourable meaning at all - I mean, is there a situation altogether where wait on can have an unfavourable meaning?

Not a teacher

I would assume it's the same as "Mamie waited for him".

 

[Rover_KE]

I doubt it meant that in 1892.

It probably means she brought him everything he needed like a waitress in a café.

 

[shootingstar]

Thank you very much.
Please also have a look at the other questions of the OP.

Could it have an unfavourable or even derogatory meaning there, or can it have an unfavourable meaning in any degree - I mean, is there a situation in any way where wait on can have an unfavourable meaning?

 

[jutfrank]

I think it means that Mamie was paying desirous attention to him, hoping that he will approach her.