backhand a tear

[IQU3838]

Hi there,

Have you heard the term of "backhand a tear"?

Could anyone tell me what it means?

Thank you very much.

Here is the context:

John said, "Mary, please don't cry."
"I am not crying." Mary said, and then hiccuped a little sob and backhanded a tear that had somehow escaped from her eye.

 

[JMurray]

I've never heard the expression but, in my opinion, it means that Mary wiped away a tear with the back of her hand.

not a teacher

 

[Tdol]

It might also imply that she is trying to be discreet about it IMO.