_Even

As generally on Tethys, the haze of clouds blocked any but the brightest stars.
"He's even younger than Teddy—isn't that amusing?" Marilee continued. "But well-advised, I gather. The vote to put the Slade Estate in guardianship was unanimous. I don't expect there to be much change tomorrow when the Council determines who the actual guardian should be.
"So you see," the tall woman continued as she faced her visitor again, "why I no longer believe that any possible rallying point would make—" she sniffed— "men out of the Councilors. Except perhaps for me to retain a mercenary regiment. I was almost willing to consider that course, until I talked to Mister Pritchard the other day. I will die before I bring that to Tethys. I will die."
"Yeah," said Don Slade to the window. "Well." Seconds after she thought he was finished, the tanker continued. "I suppose the Old Man's room's been cleaned out years since. I mean, Counc—"
"I know who the Old Man was," the woman said. "Even during Council sessions, there has been space to spare in this House since it ceased to be a barracks. My husband would never enter—his grandfather's room, Holt, but he never permitted anyone else to enter it either. Would you like to, to . . . ?"
"Yes, Mistress," said Slade.