There was a period when he wanted to go back, when it would have been nice to sit with Maggie a few minutes and watch her fiddle with her hair. But he chose the river, and his solitude, thinking that in time the feeling would pass, and best so: he would stop thinking about Maggie, she would stop thinking about him... But it didn't pass--all that passed were years.
In the excerpt from "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, the character reflects on a time when he longed to reconnect with Maggie. He reminisces about the simple pleasure of being with her, especially enjoying moments when she distracted herself by fiddling with her hair. However, he ultimately decided to pursue a solitary life by the river instead, believing that this choice would help him forget her.
Despite his intentions, the feelings he harbored for Maggie did not fade away as he had hoped. Instead of overcoming his emotions, years passed him by while he continued to grapple with his longing for her. This passage highlights the struggle between desire for companionship and the commitment to a solitary existence, emphasizing that some feelings are enduring and cannot simply be wished away.
