Mr Earnshaw explained to his wife how he owed Heathcliff.

[Walt Whitman]

From ''Wuthering Heights'' by Emily Brontë (chapter 4 simplified)

Mr Earnshaw explained to his wife how he owed Heathcliff. He saw him lying in the streets of Liverpool, homeless and starving. So, he decided to take him straight to Wuthering Heights because he was determined not to leave the poor child where he had found him.

Could somebody rewrite the “how he owed Heathcliff” bit? I don’t fully understand the meaning of the verb “owe” in this context.

Thank you

WW

 

[Walt Whitman]

On second thoughts: could it be "how he owned Heathcliff?"
If so, a rewriting would be appreciated.

 

[Barque]

I don’t fully understand the meaning of the verb “owe” in this context.

It means "how he had an obligation towards Heathcliff".

could it be "how he owned Heathcliff?"

I don't think so. I don't think he considered himself Heathcliff's owner, even if he'd given him a home.