Wrong reasons?

How disparate are thoughts and deeds? If I do something nice, feeling resentful the whole time, does it count as a 'good deed'? Or does it fall into the category of 'bad deeds' because my thoughts tainted it?

Consider this: I help an old lady cross the road.

Buddhism decrees that the action of being helpful is a good deed, only if accompanied by the right motive. So clearly, if I helped her cross the road just so that I could pat myself on the back, that doesn't count. But what if I helped her out of a sense of duty?

I'm hurrying along to work, I know I'm late, and I see this doddering old woman struggling with her packages. Immediately that annoying little voice pipes up and says I should help her. After a brief tussle with myself, I stop and help her across the road. The whole time, I'm outwardly pleasant, but actually irritated and resentful, 'Stupid old lady, making me late for work.'

Does that count?

(I asked SB this question and he was puzzled. Count? he asked me. Count towards what?

Am I the only person who thinks there's someone up there keeping score?)

Anyway, I'm inclined to think it doesn't. It bothered me for a long time, but I finally came to terms with the fact that I could never be compassionate. But what I'm still struggling with is that, by my logic, that means I'm incapable of an altruistic deed.