(Testimony of Michael R. Paine)
Mr. Liebeler.
subsequent to the assassination when, as we discussed briefly yesterday, there came to be a cooling off between them or a disenchantment.
Mr. Paine.
Ruth was mostly learning the language, so she was limited in her vocabulary and couldn't talk about--she explained to me she couldn't talk about--political or economic subjects. It was a topic on which her vocabulary didn't serve her, but it did appear she had spoken of quite a number of things. Marina had told her about movies she had seen in the Soviet Union, but I thought that the knowledge, Ruth's knowledge, I suppose Ruth's knowledge of Marina was fairly shallow. And Marina was quite reserved. Now, it may have been more so when I was in the house that she was not as much at ease as she was, perhaps, with Ruth herself.
Of course, Marina was in a position where she always had. to be polite. Ruth is easy to get along with, however, so I didn't expect Marina to have difficulty. But I didn't think Ruth and Marina were bosom friends or buddies, but neither, of course, I didn't mean to suggest the opposite.
Ruth was enjoying Marina's company and I was glad to have Marina staying with Ruth. It actually reduced the cost. Ruth saved money. The bills were less while Marina was there, and Ruth, in general, was happier.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you learn---
Mr. Paine.
I didn't think Ruth knew Marina very well, but I don't know how well she knew her.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you learn subsequently or are you aware that subsequent to the assassination there has been a disenchantment or some strain between Marina and Ruth?
Mr. Paine.
Several things happened. Ruth was put out when she learned Marina knew afterward that Oswald had taken a shot at Walker, if that were true. She thought that was quite morally remiss on Marina's part, and so we talked about that thing.
Mr. Dulles.
When did she learn that?
Mr. Paine.
This was in the newspaper report.
Mr. Dulles.
She only learned it through the newspaper?
Mr. Paine.
That is correct. So we discussed the mitigating circumstances of Marina not knowing the language and not knowing who she could go to if she wanted to stay in this country and, perhaps--we believe there were extenuating circumstances which would, perhaps, excuse Marina. Ruth was troubled about that, and so she wrote a series of quite a number of letters, each one referring to previous letters, trying to discover whether they were being withheld, thinking Marina was a responsible person or normally civil person, she would normally respond to or at least acknowledge receipt of them.
So Ruth didn't know whether she was receiving them or not, and had another--some encounters with Martin and Thorne which didn't put her at ease. She still didn't know whether Marina was receiving them. She saw only some of the checks had been signed by Thorne rather than Marina. Thorne had said that Marina didn't say he had power of attorney, and Marina was trying to do everything that she could which, at least, she could sign her checks, checks or gifts.
So there were these indications. Ruth was very much in the dark, not knowing why she had received no communication from Marina, and having conflicting reports from Martin. Martin said she had a phone right beside her if she wanted to call.
Mr. Dulles.
How did she receive these checks?
Mr. Paine.
I guess Ruth--some of the checks came to Ruth as gifts to her, and Ruth would write her own check so she got her own stub back.
Mr. Dulles.
I see.
Mr. Paine.
Therefore, Ruth had this question of whether she had offended Marina or whether Marina had done something that offended Ruth or whether Marina didn't like Ruth and had never let on. This would be a great blow to her ego. It had Ruth in great periods of depression and anxiety.
Mr. Dulles.
Did either you or your wife, to your knowledge, know Robert Oswald?
Mr. Paine.
We only met him for the first time on the night of the assassination. We both liked him at that time.
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