Final answer:
Enrique's love for his mother appears to diminish gradually, as illustrated by the metaphor of the man's flock melting away due to poverty, indicative of a similar erosion in his love and affection.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the passage presented, Enrique's love for his mother seems to be represented by the man's feelings towards his children in the text. The text indicates that as the man's property decreases, which he deeply cares about, there arises a resentment towards his children. This resentment is recognized as a 'growing evil,' suggesting a negative change in affection. The metaphor used in the passage, comparing the disappearance of his flock, and thus his property, to snow melting before the sun, implies that the man's love is also diminishing similarly under the 'power of poverty.' This metaphorical representation illustrate