The Homecoming Stranger Tools A B Rehabilitation Restoration of rank, privileges, and property Delineated Depicted; Described Resplendent Splendid; dazzling Repudiated Denied Ubiquitous Present everywhere, at the same time Compunction Sense of guilt or regret Conciliatory Soothing Imploring As if begging or asking Pensively Sadly; reflectively Theme The central message or general insight into life that the author conveys in the story Shanxi Province of northeast China Gansu Province of northwest China Pommel horse A sausage-shaped, leather-covered piece of gymnastics equipment that has two metal handles on the top. Sarcoma Malignant tumor that develops in the skin Reveille Signal to waken soldiers Soil Salinization Process of contaminating soil with salts Poplars Trees of the willow family