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.