Well, the 'hearth' is just for show. Nobody gathers there. When they sit the children down in the living room, the children are worried because the living room is only for formal entertaining and the like. The family usually sits (used to sit) in the kitchen, or the small room with the TV and the slightly ratty couch with the crocheted blanket on. It's not really lived in; it's just there. So with the fainting couch, Betty at least takes it over for herself, partially.

I do like the thing. Just not where she put it. It needs much more space around it.