Why does Ichabod endear himself to the village's mothers?

Endearing himself to the village mothers guarantees Ichabod a good dinner.

When school hours were over, he was even the companion and playmate of the larger boys; and on holiday afternoons would convoy some of the smaller ones home, who happened to have pretty sisters, or good housewives for mothers, noted for the comforts of the cupboard. Indeed, it behooved him to keep on good terms with his pupils.