The Testaments

Aunt Lydia has had a surprise from the surveillance cameras that she installed in her statue. At first, the tapes show nothing but Wives of Commanders leaving black market lemons by her statue as they pray for fertility. Then, she discovers that Aunt Vidala is the one leaving eggs and oranges, not Aunt Elizabeth. Aunt Vidala also drops a handkerchief embroidered with lilacs nearby, like the ones Aunt Lydia carries. Aunt Lydia now has evidence that Aunt Vidala, after having denounced Aunt Elizabeth, is attempting to incriminate Aunt Lydia. She happily files the tapes away for future use.

Aunt Lydia considers how to go about dividing and conquering her fellow Founders. She will tell Aunt Elizabeth that Aunt Vidala plots against her and wonders whether to involve Aunt Helena as well. She decides to tell Commander Judd that Baby Nicole has been located and that she may return to Gilead. Aunt Lydia will do this carefully, saying that he must trust her judgement as this is performed delicately, and without the meddling of “heavy-handed men” (211).

Aunt Lydia recalls an event from nine years prior. Aunt Lise enters Aunt Lydia’s office nervously and reports that there was another suicide attempt by a student at the Premarital Preparatory school. The girl, Becka, says she will make another attempt if they don’t call her wedding off. Aunt Lise reluctantly admits that the girl is afraid of penises. She hopes that Aunt Lydia may accept the girl as a Supplicant. Aunt Lydia confirms that the girl is intelligent and can learn to read and write and says that they will accept her on probation. Aunt Lise is relieved, saying that it would have been a shame to lose the girl.

Therefore, Aunt Lydia becomes involved with Becka’s case from the beginning of her stay at Ardua Hall. During their first meeting, Aunt Lydia tells Becka that her acceptance is not an entitlement or a reward for her suicide attempt. Becka accepts Aunt Lydia’s conditions that she apply herself to her studies and chores and that she prays for guidance. If she performs well and completes her Pearl Girl mission many years in the future, Becka may become an Aunt. Becka is grateful and thanks Aunt Lydia for saving her. Aunt Lydia asks if something happened in the past to make her so fearful, but Becka says she does not want to talk about it. Aunt Lydia assures her the man will be punished in time.