Read this except from The softening of miss cynthia

most likely the answer would be a.) cupidity

definitions:

cupidity - greed for money or possessions

hydrophobia - extreme or irrational fear of water, especially as a symptom of rabies in humans

pathology - the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic

patho -   relating to disease

the answer would be: it explains that at least one son must join the church

the expression ''as the tithe of his sons'' indicates how his father intended for at least one of his sons to serve the church. this phrase demonstrates that his father offered him as a last resort since none of his brothers chose to serve the church.

hope this answer you: )!