The air was gone from the tire of the hind wheel.
"Ah," said I to myself, "perhaps her pump is out of order, or it may be that she does not know how to work it.

It is getting late.

She may have to go a long distance.

I could pump it up for her in no time.
Even if there is a hole in it I could mend it." But I did not stop.

I had steeled my heart against any more adventures in Cathay.
But my conscience did not stand by me.