Cora’s scream awakens Offred, who pretends that she fainted in the closet. Cora, hoping that fainting is proof of pregnancy, conceals from Rita the fact that breakfast, which Cora dropped on the floor, went uneaten. As a favor to Offred, Cora hides the evidence by flushing the wasted food down the toilet.
In May, Serena appears unaware of Offred’s two or three visits per week to the Commander’s office. Silently signaled by the off-center placement of Nick’s cap, the summons to a night rendezvous draws Offred on tiptoe past Serena’s room, where she knits “useless wool people” on an endless series of scarves. Offred plays Scrabble again and receives a gift—a copy of a 1970s Vogue magazine. On the third office visit, she asks for hand lotion. He seems surprised that she has no private place to hide valuables.
Copulation rites grow more burdensome when Offred becomes better acquainted with the Commander as she advances from the utilitarian role of concubine to the more titillating status of mistress. She fears that Serena will find out about the night visits and exert the Wife’s power over the Handmaid. Outside an automated prayer office, lurking fears cause Offred to guard her questions about God and prayers from Ofglen and to experience relief when secret agents apprehend an unidentified man—anyone except her. Offred continues visiting the Commander and learns that Serena discovered that the Handmaid before Offred was also enjoying secret visits to the den. As Offred gains confidence, she asks the Commander to tell her about the political situation in Gilead.
