The quote from Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses" explores the complex nature of presence and absence. It suggests a paradoxical situation where someone is present but simultaneously inconspicuous or unrecognized. This blurs the line between existence and non-existence, indicating that even in seemingly empty spaces, there can be remnants of someone who has previously been there.

This reflection on presence implies emotional or psychological dimensions as well—maybe the impact of past experiences or relationships lingers even when physical evidence is gone. McCarthy's language evokes a haunting sense of memory and loss, underscoring the theme that what is absent can still profoundly affect our realities.