After being scared by the lions, Lydia tells George that she has become increasingly nervous. She suppose that her nerves are a result of having so little to do. With the house performing almost all tasks, she has nothing to do. She offers to cook and clean. She simply is looking for purpose in her life. The house is fully automated and does everything for them. It cooks, cleans, and even sings them to sleep. She adds, "I feel like I don't belong here. The house is wife and mother now, and nursemaid." She adds that she can not compete with the nursery in terms of getting her children's attention. Lydia notes that George is also exhibiting mannerisms which indicate his own restlessness:
You look as if you didn't know what to do with yourself in this house, either. You smoke a little more every morning and drink a little more every afternoon and need a little more sedative every night. You're beginning to feel unnecessary too.
The Hadleys have allowed the nursery to become their children's primary activity. In effect, the Hadleys have ceased their roles as parents. They recognize that they and the children have become spoiled by the house. With a fully automated house, they literally don't have to do anything. That's why they have begun to feel useless.
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