Great observation!There is an edited bit of tomfoolery here. Possible Illary 'stumbled' on the landing as it may have a different height riser than the rest of the steps. An inch or two may cause one to stumble. Now a stumble for anyone is quite ordinary....BUT when one is setting forth propaganda optics to illustrate health, vigor, balance...then even a small stumble must be negated from the viewing audience.
Illary, when she exits the van, seemed to be somewhat 'wooden' in her first few steps. Of course it may depend upon the duration one was seated in the van.
Wolf is certainly a piece of work. His description of Illary's ascent is noteworthy for its breathless presentation.