"I don't know why I should always be plagued with troubles," said Mrs. Lavendar. "Every time I go out somewhere, that rear tire is flat and I have to get it inflated. My son also is a real concern to me. Every time he has a problem, he comes running home."

"The tire probably needs vulcanizing," said Mr. Black. "It has a small leak somewhere that's hard to detect. As for your son, I don't know what you can do about him."

I…