 Why doesn't Ninian know much about meals?
No one, least of all Martin, could dispute that a man's life should be guarded by his kin—but by those who hadn't been born yet? Nobody in the neighborhood was surprised when Martin's mother disappeared and Ninian came to take care of him. Besides, if she really was his great-great-grand-daughter, as she said, why would she tell him to call her " Aunt Ninian "? It was safer with Ninian, though, because when he pushed her too far, she would cry instead of mopping up the floor with him. "He's dissatisfied with the current social order and killing you is part of an elaborate plan he's formulated to change it. "Oh, just don't ask any questions," Ninian said petulantly. But Ninian didn't know that and she went into a real tizzy, babbling that Martin had been sick and would make up the work. There were hot water and heat all the time and a freezer well stocked with food—somewhat erratically chosen, for Ninian didn't know much about meals. It was then that Martin began to realize that either the whole lot of them were insane, or what Ninian had told him at first was the truth. When Martin was sixteen, Raymond took him aside for the talk Ninian had promised five years before.
 Ninian is used to having servants plan and serve her meals. She's never had to buy food herself.
 In the future, all the nutrients a human needs come in an easy-to-swallow capsule.  In the future, they don't eat meals.  Ninian is not a chef.  Ninian is used to having servants plan and serve her meals. She's never had to buy food herself.