Cannot proceed in Recovery Assistant/Activate Mac

I’m trying to set up a new MacBook Air M4, but I fumblefingered, apparently reset everything, and managed to get to only recovery mode. I need to access the net in order to proceed with reactivation, but my attempts time out in a few seconds. I don’t think I have a network cable, though I’m embarrassed to admit which of my many cords that is. I’d appreciate help.