Now a handmaid's position in life is a very humble position.... they're the folks that are around to do whatever the mistress says to do.... It's not that she does great, big tasks all the time; it's the little things—I'm here; I'm ready for service; I'm at hand.

My brother arrived, and I faltered between being fascinated and being enraged. At one point, disgusted by the lack of ability to "play"... and irritated by his crying, I earnestly and sincerely suggested to my parents, "Let's take that baby and throw him in the river!"