It was right then that Weylin intervened in the conversation and mentioned to Mr. Albany that he knew a lady who would be perfect for him. It seemed as if he knew it right away;
he said he had a special feeling about it. In the beginning both Albany and the barber laughed at him, but he insisted and said who she was.
The lady was a hat designer. She used to work in her own house, and was a very talented person. She made a living for herself, as she was also single, and by the way sort of prejudged by the villagers: she was already 28. Not because she lacked anything attractive for men, but the very opposite; she was extremely smart and uniquely talented.
She just hadn’t met a guy in whom she’d be interested yet, as she thought most men didn’t have the kind of sensitivity she dreamed of to share thoughts, interests, and a
very personal view towards life.
Weylin had always admired Mr. Albany and used to see him as a different kind of man. Plus, he had a shoe factory, which he thought had a lot to do with hats, as both elements were designed to be worn on the extremes of the human body. For sure they would have an interesting relationship, so he managed to make all the arrangements for a rendezvous.
Weylin had been at Miss Beaver’s house once when he was knocking on all doors offering his mother’s cuisine service. That’s how Mrs. Seymour and Miss Beaver had got to know each other, so the little kid also knew her quite well. What’s left to say? The match was a complete success They got to meet again and again and seemed to be heading towards marriage. The couple felt so grateful to their magic little friend that they gave him gifts all the time.
Later in his grown-up years he would only wear Albany shoes and Beaver hats.
Illustration from The Barber’s Manual by A.B. Moler.