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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. IX - Page 372« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Ruth Hyde Paine Resumed)

Mrs. Paine.
my interpretation was that here he was making this gesture of caring for her, and wanting to bring the family together, and live with her again on a full-time basis. But then on the other hand, how could he be suggesting this if he had been planning to do something which would inevitably lead to the break-up of the family. This, again, in the spirit of the other comment from her just related, of confusion and hurt, rather than defense.
Mr. Jenner.
That is, rather than defense of him?
Mrs. Paine.
Of him; yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Anything else?
Mrs. Paine.
Nothing else.
Mr. Jenner.
Do you have a recollection of having written your sister in June of 1957--as a matter of fact, on June 29, 1957-- [See Ruth Paine Exhibit 469, and transcript 390, post.] in which, to orient the letter, you stated, "Last Saturday I started, Russian class," and that was your class at the University of Pennsylvania in the summer of 1957--in which you recounted the reasons why you were undertaking the study of Russian. Do you recall such a letter?
Mrs. Paine.
I don't recall the letter, but it certainly is likely I wrote it.
Mr. Jenner.
In which you said, one, that you enjoyed the study of languages.
Is it a fact that that was one of the motivations?
Mrs. Paine.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
And, two, that the language would be socially useful to you?
Mrs. Paine.
Socially?
Mr. Jenner.
Would be socially useful to you.
Mrs. Paine.
I don't understand what that meant.
Mr. Jenner.
Well, I can't explain it. I assume it meant that you were recounting that you might use it in your social intercourse with others who also spoke Russian, in seeking--for example, concerning your pen pal activity and that sort of thing. This does not awaken anything?
Mrs. Paine.
It doesn't awaken any recollection; no.
Mr. Jenner.
All right. Three, that it advanced your "interest in Russian exchange."
Mrs. Paine.
Well, I may have hoped so, starting Russian. But my actual skill didn't progress fast enough to be of any real use.
Mr. Jenner.
And, also, that ever since, "The Young Friends Conference in 1955," you had felt a leaning to the study of language.
Mrs. Paine.
That is correct. And I have so testified--I used the word "calling" in the testimony.
Mr. Jenner.
And do you recall emphasizing in that letter that the study of Russian on your part was an intellectual decision, using those very words---intellectual decision?
Mrs. Paine.
I don't recall using those words. It is reasonable.
Mr. Jenner.
As you recall back now, was that--did that activate you?
Mrs. Paine.
I am not entirely certain what I meant by intellectual decision.
Mr. Jenner.
I assume you meant a deliberate one.
Mrs. Paine.
Oh, yes.
Mr. Jenner.
One of intellectual curiosity?
Mrs. Paine.
I would judge so.
Mr. Jenner.
Do you recall writing your mother, as far back as October 1956, that--no; this letter was to your whole family-- that is, those back in Columbus, addressed to your mother, your father, and--what was--Essie?
Mrs. Paine.
Well, I think probably family in this case just was my mother and father at that time. Essie is my brother's wife.
Mr. Jenner.
In which you then said you were thinking about studying Russian as an intellectual pursuit? Does that sound like something you might have said then?
Mrs. Paine.
It sounds like I thought myself more intellectual at the time than I do now.
Mr. Jenner.
But as you harken back on it, the elements I have now recounted to you from correspondence with your mother and your folks, are those factors which at least impelled you at that age and that development in your life to undertake the study of Russian?
Mrs. Paine.
Yes.
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