TOUCHWOOD • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Touchwood

... This mental inquiry naturally set young Mr. Barter to work to discover how considerable the sum of money actually was. He laid the notes upon the table, and tried to wet his thumb upon his lips. There was no moisture there, and his mouth was as dry as touchwood. He drank a little water, and then began to count the notes. He made them eighty-one at first; and then, recounting, made them seventy-nine. Counting them a third time, he ...

— Young Mr. Barter's Repentance - From "Schwartz" by David Christie Murray • David Christie Murray