When I read this, I thought of the character of Sarah Smith in CS Lewis’s book “The Great Divorce”
And only partly do I remember the unbearable beauty of her face.
‘Is it?... Is it?’ I whispered to my guide.
‘Not at all,’ said he. ‘It’s someone ye’ll never have heard of. Her name on earth was Sarah Smith and she lived at Golders green.’
‘She seems to be ... well, a person of particular importance?’
Aye. She is one of the great ones. Ye have heard that fame in this country and fame on earth are two quite different things.’
‘And who are these gigantic people... look! They’re like emeralds... who are dancing and throwing flowers before her?’
‘Haven’t you read Milton? A thousand liveried angels lackey her.’
‘And who are all these young men and women on each side?’
They are her sons and daughters.’
She must have had a very large family, Sir.’
‘Every young man or boy that met her became her son—even if it is was only the boy that brought meat to her back door. Every girl that met her was her daughter.”
A great quote from a wonderful book. More people need to read it!!