We have to assume that Sir John spends a fair amount of his time running his estate; Lady Middleton manages the household. Thus we are talking about their "free time" at this point. Chapter 7 even mentions hunting as "Sir John's independent employments". At my regional JASNA meeting this weekend, it was suggested that Willoughby (who we will meet presently), who has leisure enough to actually learn music, has far too much time on his hands.

How much time in your day is free? What do you do with it? How many people do you know who are interested in books, plays, music - anything more than what just happened to you? and your children?

It's funny, but until you mentioned it, I would have never thought of 'defending' the Middletons. If reality TV, or even TV had been invented, I suspect that they would have spent their evenings watching it. I think we should actually be grateful that country living demands the assembly of neighbors to give life life. We who are Pemberleans know what it is to be surrounded by people who are devoid of either "talent" or "taste". Considering their upbringing, I think we are seeing the Dashwoods learn to appreciate the life they have known in contrast to the current existence of children and hunting. And revel in it.