In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: He said, "Do as you wish, but do not come and ask me for help if you get into difficulties."

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns reporting a complex instruction and warning from Direct to Indirect speech. The direct sentence is: He said, "Do as you wish, but do not come and ask me for help if you get into difficulties." You must identify the option that correctly reflects both the permission and the warning in Indirect speech with proper use of infinitive constructions and conditional clauses.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Speaker: he. - Direct instruction: Do as you wish. - Direct warning: do not come and ask me for help if you get into difficulties. - Implicit listener: me (the person being addressed).

Concept / Approach:
Imperative sentences (commands, requests, instructions) in Direct speech are typically reported using infinitive constructions in Indirect speech. "Do as you wish" becomes "to do as I wished" when reported to the person addressed. Negative imperatives like "do not come and ask me for help" become "not to go and ask him for help". Pronouns are adjusted according to context: "you" becomes "I" when the listener is the narrator; "me" becomes "him" referring back to the original speaker. The warning part uses a conditional "if you get into difficulties", which becomes "if I got into difficulties" after backshift.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the speaker is addressing "me", so the reported sentence will start with "He told me". Step 2: Convert "Do as you wish" into "to do as I wished", adjusting "you" to "I" and keeping the same idea of giving freedom. Step 3: Convert "do not come and ask me for help" into "not to go and ask him for help". Step 4: Backshift the present simple "if you get into difficulties" to "if I got into difficulties". Step 5: Join both parts with "but" to keep the contrast between permission and warning. Step 6: The final reported sentence is: He told me to do as I wished, but not to go and ask him for help if I got into difficulties.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we convert this Indirect sentence back to Direct speech, we get: He said, "Do as you wish, but do not come and ask me for help if you get into difficulties." The structure, meaning, and contrast are preserved. The reporting verb "told" is appropriate for giving instructions or warnings, and the infinitive structures correctly reflect the imperatives.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A changes the meaning by suggesting "do as he wished" instead of "do as I wished", which reverses the sense of giving freedom. Option C uses "ordered", which is too strong and does not match the more neutral tone of "do as you wish". Option D introduces "unless I did as I wished", which distorts the original conditional structure; the original sentence does not make help conditional on obedience but warns against seeking help after acting freely.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often mishandle two-part sentences that combine permission with a warning or condition. They may treat them as separate statements or change the logic connecting them. Another common error is to misuse pronouns so that the reported sentence no longer clearly indicates who is allowed to act and who is refusing help. Paying close attention to the relationships between speaker, listener, and pronouns is crucial in such questions.

Final Answer:
He told me to do as I wished, but not to go and ask him for help if I got into difficulties.