Beckoning – v. to lure; entice.
“The sun, up above a sky that was blue and tremendous and beckoning to birds ever on the wing…”

Unashamed – a. open; unconcealed; unabashed:
“…even the low, square nipa house that stood in an unashamed relief against the gray-green haze of grass and leaves”

Flanked – v. to be situated at the side of; especially : to be situated on both sides of
“It was flanked on both sides by tall, slender bamboo tree which rustled plaintively under a gentle wind.”

Plaintively – a. expressing suffering or sadness : having a sad sound
“It was flanked on both sides by tall, slender bamboo tree which rustled plaintively under a gentle wind.”

Timorous – a. full of fear; fearful; subject to fear; timid; indicating fear
“There were dark, newly plowed furrows where in due time timorous seedling would give rise to sturdy stalks and golden grain…”

Austere – a. severely simple; without ornament:
“…without relenting wave, from a rather prominent and austere brow.”

Nondescript – a. not easily described : having no special or interesting qualities, parts, etc. : typical and uninteresting
“From the pocket of his khaki coat he pulled a string of nondescript red…”

Furtively – a. done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed
“But her eyes moved restlessly around the room until they rested almost furtively on a small trunk…”

Stifling – a. suffocating; oppressively close:
“The heat was stifling, and the silence in the house was beginning to be unendurable.”

Benign – a. showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness:
“…San Isidro Labrador, smiled on them with benign eyes from his crude altar in the little chapel up the hill…”

Goading – v. to urge or force (someone) to do something
“But the expression on her husband’s face as he put the small key back into his pocket kept torturing her like a nightmare, goading beyond endurance.”

Incredulity – n. a feeling that you do not or cannot believe or accept that something is true or real
“First it was doubt groping for truth, then amazement, and finally agonized incredulity passed across his face.”

Resolutely – a. in very determined manner : having or showing a lot of determination
“Resolutely he opened the trunk.”

Inscrutable – a. difficult to understand : causing people to feel curious or confused
“Pedro stood by listening to the whole procedure with an inscrutable expression on his face.”