The step is the 4/3 step throughout, but with a difference.  It is more of a plod, with less of stamping and much less lifting of the feet.  Morris Off, danced in the traditional manner, gives one the impression of a company agreeably tired, but pleased and comfortable, having rollicked to their hearts’ content, and to the contentment of the lookers-on; and being now upon the way to supper, and to bed.  Of course, if they be still exuberant, they may show it, and stamp their lustiest; still a demurer step will usually suggest itself as the more appropriate.  This quieter manner is best described as almost a slow, very gentle trot, the steps little longer than the foot—­left, right, left; and then, on the fourth beat, not a hop, but a tap with the heel.

As for the movements.  After “Once to yourself,” the side marks time for 6 bars, and makes a complete right turn, slowly, in bars 7 and 8; then the leader, with Nos. 3 and 5 behind him, starts forward as described, Nos. 2, 4 and 6 meanwhile marking time.  As No. 5 draws level with No. 2, he falls in behind, and Nos. 4 and 6 in order after him.

The side is now going slowly forward, in the manner of “Follow my leader.”  In every repetition of bars 7 and 8, all make a complete right turn, as already described, so that at the repeat of the first bar all are again facing in the course the leader shall have set.

The course will be set according to circumstances, and the position of exit, if in a room; or, if in the open, the leader will wind—­or in the old manner of saying, he will “hey”—­to some chosen point for quitting the scene.

To hey was to wind in and out and round about—­though the term has many meanings.  That is the leader’s business:  to lead the side across and back again, all turning together in the last two bars, and back and across again, or round about occasionally, as long as he may please.

Suppose more than one side has been dancing; then the leading side will start as already described, the other, or others, falling in as may have been previously arranged.

Morris Off, smoothly and quietly danced, with its strange monotony, has a fascination all its own.  It is farewell, with no sorrow in it; good-bye, but with no dread of loneliness to-morrow; somehow, one cannot tell how, all the wholesomeness of the Morris, and of the folk that sent it down to us, and are with us yet, is in this dance.  When the dance is over, and the bells quiet, there is neither surfeit nor exhaustion.  Morris Off is like to make one think of sound sleep and clear awakenings.

THE END.