Whispering [reprise]

here I lay
ghosts of memories

Melchior and I
in the forest where I was beaten
I asked for it

that night in the hayloft
when this all started
when I let him love me
and when we became one by our child

it's such a new thing
this life in me
this child
it's whispering
a secret that only time will tell

'tis no longer a secret
mama doesn't like this
not one bit
but she should know it's her fault
she never told me
just talk of childish things
of the stork
then my questions-
she couldn't bring herself to say the truth
only that a woman must love a man

but I love Melchior!
surely she must understand
she must!
but she doesn't
it's a danger for me here

this baby isn't safe
she wants it gone
even if it means me too
I'm cast out of the family, just prisoner here to save her from embarrassment, not because she cares

maybe I'll sneak away
birth my baby
and things could be normal again

sister could take her,
no one would know.
mama could say I went to boarding school
Tell everyone I came home because I missed her.
Her, Melchior, Marta, Thea, and most of all taking walks in the forest

I shan't tell Mama my plan, I'll only leave her a note, not tell her where I am. I'll stay with Isle and her band of traveling artists. Isle will know what to do after that.

Mama,
You bore me, raised me well, and now I must go. I'll be back, don't you worry. Tell anyone who asks I went to boarding school. You could even say it's a sister school of Melchior's all boy school, if you like. I know you don't approve of my baby. I don't want it to be born into such a hostile environment, whenI come back, things can go back to normal.
Until then
Your Daughter

Wendla