Mr. De Mohrenschildt. I remember quite a vivid discussion going on, you know, because all those people are highly intelligent, and, very intellectual group of people interested in what goes on in the world, and as far as I know none of them has ever seen a Russian, and it was just like a new specimen of humanity, you see, that appeared in front of them, both Marina and Oswald, an American but who had been to Russia. But I don't remember any particular discussion or disagreement or agreement. I think probably Oswald was talking most of the time.
Mr. Jenner. Oswald was pretty proud, was he, of his ability to speak Russian?
Mr. De Mohrenschildt. He was proud of it, yes; because it is quite an achievement for a man with a poor scholastic background to have learned the language. It is surprising to me. It was an extraordinary surprise for my wife and myself that he was able to learn to speak it so well for such a short time as he was supposed to have stayed in Russia. As I understand it, he stayed there some 2 years, I gather.
Mr. Jenner. That is all.
Mr. De Mohrenschildt. And it is amazing.
Mr. Jenner. In speaking of that, as I recall, you noted he had a conversational command of the language.
Mr. De Mohrenschildt. Yes.
Mr. Jenner. But that he did not speak a refined Russian.
Mr. De Mohrenschildt. No, no; not a refined Russian.
Mr. Jenner. He had trouble with his grammar?