I fell forward.

My knees hit the living room rug.

The floorboards creaked as I got up.

Lily was standing by the coat rack in the hall, twisting a faded red ribbon around her thumb until the skin went pale.

“I have to get back before she checks under the cedar chest,” Lily said, her voice perfectly even.

“Did she see you ride over here?” I asked.

“Does she know you took the envelope?”