I believe that it means: reading gives new ideas which is like food for his mind.
The Southern states produced a large amount of Cotton.
1. After Bill Sykes killed Nancy, he was on the run, but after police identified him as travelling with a dog, he attempts to drown the dog to rid himself of a companion, as well as deeming himself less of a suspect.
2. Bill Sykes killed Nancy.
3. Edward Leedford
4. I don’t know this one!
5. Mr Brownlow.
6. He shoots her in the head, but this only grazes her forehead, so he picks up a club and beats her on the wound until she dies.
7. Agnes Fleming (his dead mother), Edwin Leeford (his dead father) and Edward Leeford (his dead half brother).
8. She steals her gold locket, the only clue to Oliver’s identity.
9. She rejects him for fear that marriage to her may harm his career in church.
10. Bill Sykes.
I answered all of them apart from one I didn’t know, so I hope this helps!
In the last story, the thing that Virginia fairbrother's father do is : Gave a young man food, Gas, and money
As a return, the young man gave him his watch as a token of gratitude, which later became an important piece of the story
hope this helps
