[Vocabulary] keep straight away

[Silverobama]

Hi,

What does "keep straight away" mean in this sentence?

The most economical age to capture an elephant for training is between fifteen and twenty years, for it is then almost ready to undertake heavy work and can begin to earn its keep straight away.

I guess the "keep" is a noun here, right? But what does it mean?

 

[5jj]

If the elephant earns its keep, it does enough work to make it worth the owner paying for its 'keep' - its food, shelter and any other costs involved in keeping it.

 

[Silverobama]

Thanks a lot

So "straight away" here works as an adverb?

 

[5jj]

Yes. It means 'immediately'.