In this chapter, we are introduced to Caio's mother, who tells her son that she thinks they can live alone, but that she will be beaten to death if Caio hears about it. Caio tells his mother that he will get her a meal, but she tells him that she is not hungry, because she and her husband are the most hardworking members of the family. She tells Caio that she does not know how to bear the pain of suffering because she is sold by her sisters, and Caio promises to take care of his sisters. When Caio learns that his mother is busy at work, he tells her to get up and let her sleep