Mrs. Oswald.

wanted me to return home because if I did not return he did not want to continue living. He said he didn't know how to love me in any other way and that he will try to change.

Mr. Rankin.

While you were at Mrs. Ford's did she go to the hospital?

Mrs. Oswald.

No. I think that you are confused---this was Elena Hall in Fort Worth, she was ill and went to the hospital. It is not very interesting to hear all that. Somewhat boring.

Mr. Rankin.

Do you recall the manner in which Lee brought up the idea of your going to Russia alone?

Mrs. Oswald.

Quite simply he said it was very hard for him here. That he could not have a steady job. It would be better for me because I could work in Russia. That was all.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you understand when he suggested it that he proposed that you go and he stay?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes. Now, I think I know why he had in mind to start his foolish activity which could harm me but, of course, at that time he didn't tell me the reason. It is only now that I understand it. At that time when I would ask him he would get angry because he couldn't tell me.

Mr. Rankin.

What would you say to him at that time?

Mrs. Oswald.

I told him at that time that I am agreeable to going if he could not live with me. But he kept on repeating that he wanted to live with me but that it would be better for me, but when I wanted to know the reason he would not tell me.

Mr. Rankin.

Is there something that you have learned since that caused you to believe that this suggestion was related to trying to provide for you or to be sure that you wouldn't be hurt by what he was going to do?

Mrs. Oswald.

At that time I didn't know this. I only saw that he was in such a state that he was struggling and perhaps did not understand himself. I thought that I was the reason for that.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he have a job then?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you feel that you were getting along on what he was earning?

Mrs. Oswald.

Of course.

Mr. Rankin.

Were you urging him to earn more so that he could provide more for the family?

Mrs. Oswald.

No. We had enough.

Mr. Rankin.

You were not complaining about the way you were living?

Mrs. Oswald.

No. I think that my friends had thought, and it was also written in the newspapers that we lived poorly because for Americans $200 appears to be very little. But I have never lived in any very luxurious way and, therefore, for me this was quite sufficient. Some of the others would say, "well here, you don't have a car or don't have this or that." But for me it was sufficient. Sometimes Lee would tell me I was just like my friends, that I wanted to have that which they had. That I preferred them to him because they give me more, but that is not true.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you understand when he suggested you return to Russia that he was proposing to break up your marriage?

Mrs. Oswald.

I told him that I would go to Russia if he would give me a divorce, but he did not want to give me a divorce.

Mr. Rankin.

Did he say why?

Mrs. Oswald.

He said that if he were to give me a divorce that that would break everything between us, which he didn't want. That he wanted to keep me as his wife, but I told him that if he wants to remain in the United States I want to be free in Russia.

Mr. Rankin.

During this period did he appear to be more excited and nervous?

Mrs. Oswald.

Not particularly, but the later time he was more excited and more nervous but it was quite a contrast between the way he was in Russia.

Mr. Rankin.

By the later time that you just referred to what do you mean? Can you give us some approximate date?

Mrs. Oswald.

When we went to Neely Street.