They had just steeled themselves to make a purchase, but then they saw the beautiful children's clothes, and their feet felt rooted to the spot.
Parents might neglect their own needs—eating, drinking, or dressing well—but when it came to their children, they wanted to give them the world. Even though most families had quite a few kids these days, mothers still wanted to pour their hearts out and do the absolute best they could for them.
"My eldest is starting high school soon. She's a young woman now, so she really needs a nice dress..." Once she graduated, she'd have to find a job and a husband. She and her husband couldn't have all their children take over their jobs—otherwise, how would the whole family eat?
So, she was more inclined to have her daughter find a decent partner, get married first, and then slowly look for a job.
'Her high school classmates would be people she knew well...'
