They were touching wood.

Beth, dear, I am touching wood, and praying to preserve 'an humble and a contrite heart,' but reeking with commerce.

This superstition, that God is against us, is deep-seated in human nature, as the universal practice of " touching wood" sufficiently demonstrates.

'I should have thought,' I said, 'it was more like touching wood or avoiding the lines on the pavement.

"Nothing," said the boy, "except touching wood.

" Touching wood, I mean."