The chapter begins with Offred once again in the Commander’s office. From her description of the scene, she is relaxed and at ease, along with the Commander. She notes that “little of that formality remains between us” when describing how the two of them are behaving. The Cpmmander offers Offred a book to read, and continually stares at her, making her feel as if completely undressed. She feels shy in the face of the continuous gaze, and instead proposes that they talk instead. It is through this conversation that Offred discovers the meaning of the words Nolite te bastardes carborundorum, scribbled down by the previous handmaid after learning the phrase from the Commander himself. It is at this point that she also learns that the previous handmaid hanged herself when Serena found out about her relationship with the Commander.