Mr. Jenner.

And what were the circumstances?

Mr. Pic.

Mr. Ekdahl had to travel and so we were going to boarding school.

Mr. Jenner.

I exhibited to you earlier, and you identified a letter of your mother's dated February 1, 1945, to the Bethlehem Orphanage, John Pic Exhibit No. 4 in which your mother is petitioning the Bethlehem Orphanage for the return of you two boys to the orphanage.

Mr. Pic.

I don't think I was aware of this letter.

Mr. Jenner.

You were not aware?

Mr. Pic.

No, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

No circumstances that you can recall now of the possible relationship between your mother and Ekdahl that might have led to her seeking to do this?

Mr. Pic.

No, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

She says in her letter she is thinking in terms of returning you to Bethlehem because she is going to be traveling with her husband when she does marry him--that is Mr. Ekdahl. There was no discussion in your presence that you can recall on that subject?

Mr. Pic.

Not returning to Bethlehem, no, sir; not that I remember. I have to find Victor Street and from there I can just about guess where the school was. I am lost on this map. I can't find Victor Street and where I lived.

Mr. Jenner.

Was Davy Crockett Grammar School near your home at 4801 Victor Street?

Mr. Pic.

About three blocks, sir. Three long blocks.

Mr. Jenner.

Describe that neighborhood to us.

Mr. Pic.

I think it would be middle class.

Mr. Jenner.

A level up from what you had been accustomed back in New Orleans?

Mr. Pic.

Yes, sir. There were fine brick homes; in fact, I had a paper route out there that I delivered, and easily middle class. Maybe some upper middle class.

Mr. Jenner.

Was your life there pleasant?

Mr. Pic.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And when Mr. Ekdahl moved in were the relationships generally among all, now five of you, pleasant?

Mr. Pic.

Between Mr. Ekdahl and the three boys they were pleasant, sir. I think there were some arguments between Mr. Ekdahl and my mother from time to time.

Mr. Jenner.

You were aware of those?

Mr. Pic.

Yes, sir. I am going to need a map with a listing of the schools. This one doesn't seem to have one. This summer school was about a good 2 miles away. We walked it in the morning.

Mr. Jenner.

You and Robert?

Mr. Pic.

I think me and Robert. We had other friends that we went to school with.

Mr. Jenner.

Of course.

Mr. Pic.

And there were always a group of us. I don't remember if Robert went or not, sir, to tell you the truth.

Mr. Jenner.

I see. When you came around to the fall of 1945, however, you entered the Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy?

Mr. Pic.

Yes, sir; in fact, the trip to Chamberlain-Hunt was a side trip because Mr. Ekdahl, my mother, and Lee were on their way to Boston to visit his folks.
And so they dropped us off at the school and then proceeded to Boston.

Mr. Jenner.

Was that a motor trip?

Mr. Pic.

Yes, sir; it was in a 1938 Buick.

Mr. Jenner.

You remained at Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy except for summer vacation, or something of that nature, for how long?

Mr. Pic.

Well, sir, you Just want a blanket statement. I have got a whole bunch of goodies while I was at Chamberlain-Hunt.

Mr. Jenner.

All right. Go ahead.

Mr. Pic.

During Christmas vacation of 1945 Robert and I received money to go home for the Christmas holidays. We were to take the train from Vicksburg, Miss., to Shreveport, La. These were instructions and when we arrived at