Why does mr. coates take travis down to the spring before supper?

Mr. Coates motioned to Travis to come along with him down the spring before supper to discuss with his son about the responsibilities he wanted him to take while he's gone. He wanted Travis to stand as the man of the family and act like one while he's gone for the next 3-4 months. He tells Travis that he is fully depending on him to look after the ranch - the cows to milk, the young pigs to mark, woods to cut, the fresh meat to shoot, and the corn patch. And above all, he wanted Travis to look after not just with the ranch, but with the whole family as well.   

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