From The Godson He Professes To Love So Much - Tumblr Posts

Something that I keep thinking about in The Godfather is was Vito expecting Tom to repay his debt in some form or another? In the book it's clear that Vito does almost nothing unless it benefits him, either now or in the future so was he holding the debt that Tom 'owed' him for taking him in as an homeless, starving orphan and giving Tom a home and education?

He doesn't force Tom to work for him, that's his decision but neither does he show Tom any real affection until he agrees to do so. Then and only then does he embrace him for the first time and treat him more like a son.

Part of me thinks that Vito was just returning the favour that was granted to him but then considering that he stores up favours for the future, I can't help wondering if he was holding a debt over the head of a child and he was always going to have to pay a price for Vito's kindness?