The plan, as James envisioned it, required Elizabeth to go through the kitchen, tiptoe into the living room, and then go up the stairs to check out the bedrooms and bathroom. Elizabeth knew that all the floating practice made her quite light on her feet. She decided to summon her inner ballerina, and walk on her toes. She needed to move slowly up the stairs, and in case there was a mother sighting, simply dance downstairs, go to the window and wave to her collaborators. If her father was home, an image that normally struck terror in her, she would dance very quickly down the stairs, through the kitchen, out the back door, and around to the back of the shed, all the while repeating to herself “only a man.” Her siblings would meet her there; but if all was clear, she would be at the front do
