This was a shock, even to _Lucifer_. He suggested that it would be better to make _Arcadio_ feel the pangs of jealousy, and in an exultant aside remarked with satisfaction that "her feet are already in the direct pathway to Hell." The women, apparently, felt a good deal of satisfaction at this. They nodded virtuously to one another. But one young girl leaned over to another, and, sighing, said: "Ah! But it must be wonderful to love like that!" _Arcadio_ returned, to be reproached by _Laura_ with his poverty. He was accompanied by _Bato_, a combination of _Iago_ and _Autolycus_, who attended the dialogue between the shepherd and his wife with ironical asides. By means of the jeweled ring that _Lucifer_ had given _Laura_, _Arcadio’s_ suspicions were aroused, and, when _Laura_ had left him in haughty insolence, he gave vent to his feelings: "Just when I was happy in her fidelity, she with cruel reproaches embitters my heart! What shall I do with myself?" "Look for a new mate," said _Bato_. That being rejected, _Bato_ gave the following modest prescription for settling the difficulty: "Kill her without delay. This done, take her skin and carefully fold it away. Shouldst thou marry again, let the bride’s sheet be that skin, and thus prevent another jilting. To still further strengthen her virtue, tell her gently but firmly: ’Sweetheart, this thy sheet was once my wife; see that thou dost carry thyself circumspectly lest thou, too, come to the same end. Remember that I am a hard and peevish man who does not stick at trifles.’" At the beginning of this speech the men began to snicker, and when it ended they were guffawing loudly. An old peon, however, turned furiously on them: "There is a proper prescription!" he said. "If that were done more often there would not be so many domestic troubles." But _Arcadio_ didn’t seem to see it, and _Bato_ recommended the philosophic attitude. "Stop thy complaining and leave _Laura_ to her lover. Free thus from obligations, thou wilt become rich, and be able to eat well, dress well, and truly enjoy life. The rest matters but little.... Seize, therefore, this opportunity toward thine own good fortune. And do not forget, I beg thee, once thy fortune is made, to regale this meager paunch of mine with good cheer." "Shame!" cried the women, clucking. "How false!" "The _desgraciado_!" A man’s voice piped up: "There is some truth in that, señoras! If it weren’t for the women and children we all might be able to dress in fine clothes and ride upon a horse." A fierce argument grew up around this point. _Arcadio_ lost patience with _Bato_, and the latter plaintively said: "If thou hast any regard for poor _Bato_, let us go to supper." _Arcadio_ answered firmly, not until he had unburdened his heart.