 How would the main character's reaction been different if his wife was alive when he came back home?
HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? Not even forever [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, April 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. He spurred his horse, and when they reached the water's edge, he dismounted and unsaddled the horse. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. Then he led him silently to a grassy slope where he hobbled him and left him for the night. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. It caught the shadows of the fire and reflected them, greatly magnified, over the room. When he opened it, he found a picture of her in one side, and in the other a picture of the children. He took her in his arms again, and loosened her long, black hair, burying his face in it for a moment. Then he kissed her, and instantly was drawn down into the abyss which seemed to have no beginning or any end.
 He would not have been as solemn as he was when he discovered she was no longer there.
 He would have realized her love for him had vanished.  He would not have been as solemn as he was when he discovered she was no longer there.  He would have been in a state of confusion because he would not have recognized his wife.  He would still be very depressed from the aftermath of the war.