The story you're referring to appears to be "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs, which revolves around the theme of wishes and their consequences. The actions of Mr. and Mrs. White at the end of the story reveal their different expectations and hopes regarding the wishes granted by the monkey's paw.
Mr. White's wish, made just before the story concludes, is driven by his intense fear and desire to undo the terrible consequences of their previous wishes. He wishes for his son, Herbert, who had died as a result of the monkey's paw's previous wish, to be returned from the dead. This reveals Mr. White's hope of reversing the tragic outcome and bringing back his son, demonstrating his deep love and longing for Herbert.
In contrast, Mrs. White's reaction to the second wish is starkly different. She is horrified by the thought of Herbert, who had been dead and buried for ten days, returning. Her actions reveal her fear of the consequences of tampering with life and death, indicating a sense of dread at the idea of her son returning in a state that might be far from what she remembered. Her desperate attempts to prevent Mr. White from making the wish demonstrate her fear of the unknown and her unwillingness to accept the potential horrors that might result.
In summary, Mr. White's actions reveal his desperate hope to bring back his son, while Mrs. White's actions reflect her fear and reluctance to face the possible horrors associated with tampering with life and death. The story demonstrates how different characters' expectations, hopes, and fears surrounding wishes can lead to tragic consequences.