Final answer:
Mrs. Sommers' next purchase after buying stockings would likely include more personal items or clothing, drawing parallels with characters in similar literary contexts who shop for a variety of garments and accessories.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Mrs. Sommers buys the stockings, she would likely proceed with her next purchase, following the pattern of making thoughtful selections for her personal use or for her family, as hinted by the referenced texts. While the exact next purchase isn't specified in the given excerpts, Mrs. Sommers' actions align with characters from similar literary works who engage in buying a range of items such as fabrics, clothing, shoes, trims, and accessories, which are often selected to enhance personal appearance or for the comfort and delight of their loved ones, as seen in Nora's purchases in 'A Doll's House'. In the context of costume designing, as illustrated by the first reference, the next purchase after stockings could potentially include more garments or articles necessary to complete an outfit for a show or event.