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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. IX - Page 134« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Mrs. Dorothy Gravitis)

Mr. Mamantov.
After she dropped out, Mrs. Paine called me at the office and asked me to teach, and I refused, but I suggested my mother-in-law would teach her at home.
Mr. Belin.
At whose home?
Mrs. Gravitis.
At our home. I mean it is a private lesson for $3 per hour, private lesson.
Mr. Belin.
When Mrs. Paine was taking from you those two lessons at the Berlitz School, was there anyone else in the class with her?
Mrs. Gravitis.
She was by herself and I gave her only two lessons.
Mr. Belin.
What kind of student was Mrs. Paine?
Mrs. Gravitis.
She was a good student, talented, serious.
Mr. Belin.
Had she had any contact with any other Russian teachers, that you know of, in Russia?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Pardon me?
Mr. Belin.
Did Mrs. Paine have any contact with any Russian teachers in Russia?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Yes.
Mr. Belin.
What do you know about this?
Mrs. Gravitis.
I was correcting the lessons. I had the letters---Mrs. Paine was writing to this particular teacher. The name of this teacher was Nina, and she was teaching English language, beginning classes. Some were in Russian, somewhere in Russia. I don't remember the name of the city.
Mr. Belin.
Do you know how Mrs. Paine got in contact with this Russian teacher?
Mrs. Gravitis.
I asked her, and as far as I remember, she said through a youth organization, but she didn't go into detail. I didn't question her any more.
Mr. Belin.
Do you know what the name of the youth organization was?
Mrs. Gravitis.
No; I don't.
Mr. Belin.
Or was it a political youth organization?
Mrs. Gravitis.
I don't know.
Mr. Belin.
In the letters that you translated or corrected did the grammar of Mrs. Paine, contain any political discussion?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Letters, you mean?
Mr. Belin.
The letters that Mrs. Paine was sending to the teacher, or the letters you saw from the teacher, was there any political discussion involved?
Mrs. Gravitis.
No.
Mr. Belin.
When did you first start teaching Mrs. Paine?
Mrs. Gravitis.
I started some time during the summer before Mrs. Paine's son was born, who was born in February, the following February, and then she discontinued taking lessons.
Mr. Belin.
What period would this have been? What year?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Approximately 3 years ago. The boy right now is 3 years old, so we say 1961.
Mr. Belin.
1960, wouldn't it?
Mrs. Gravitis.
The boy was born in 1961. Yes; 1960, the summer of 1960.
Mr. Belin.
After the boy was born, did you ever give her any more Russian language lessons?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Yes; during the fall when the boy was a few months old.
Mr. Belin.
Did you keep up contact with Mrs. Paine after she quit taking lessons?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Yes.
Mr. Belin.
When did you first hear or learn about Marina Oswald?
Mrs. Gravitis.
Either April or May. Probably April. Mr. and Mrs. Fredricksen came to our house and told us they had attended a party, that there was an American who came recently from the Soviet Union, and his wife is a Russian.
Mr. Belin.
When did you first have a conversation with Marina Oswald?
Mrs. Gravitis.
I never have talked with her in person, but only on the phone. In May of that particular year, Mrs. Paine went to San Antonio, and she asked me would I help Marina because she doesn't know the English language and nobody could help her.
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