What was proposed was forthwith executed. Aristarchus bought what he
wanted; he laid in a provision of wool, and the ladies worked from
morning to night. This occupation diverted their melancholy, and,
instead of the uneasiness there was before between them and Aristarchus,
they began to live in a reciprocal satisfaction. The ladies loved him as
their protector, and he considered them as persons who were very useful
and necessary to him.

To conclude, some time afterwards Aristarchus came to see Socrates, and
related the whole matter to him with great content, and told him the
women began to complain that none but he was idle. "Why do you not put
them in mind," said Socrates, "of the fable of the dog? For, in the days
when beasts could speak, according to the fable, the sheep said to her
master, 'You are a strange man; we yield you wool, lambs, and cheeses,
and yet you give us nothing but what we can get upon the ground; and the
dog, who brings you in no profit, is kindly used, for you feed him with
the same bread you eat yourself.' The dog, overhearing this complaint,
answered her: 'It is not without reason that I am used so well. It is I
who protect you; it is I who hinder thieves from taking you away, and
wolves from sucking your blood. If I were not always keeping watch about
you, you would not dare so much as to go to feed.' This answer was the
reason that the sheep yielded freely to the dog the honour they pretended
to before. In like manner do you also let these ladies know that it is
you who are their guardian and protector, and that you watch over them
for their safety with as much care as a faithful and courageous dog
watcheth over a herd committed to his charge. Tell them that because of
you no man dares hurt them, and that it is by your means that they live
at ease and in safety."