Reply to email at bottom of page (Word as editor)

[Clem]

When I reply to an email, the original message text
appears a long way down the page at the bottom. There are
a hundred or so blank lines between the entry cursor at
the top and the original message text at the bottom.
Result: The respondent rarely sees the original message
text.

It used not to be like this. Previously, the original
message text appeared at the top. I'd like to get it back
there. Any ideas?

The problem only arises if I use Word as email editor. If
I use the Outlook editor the text is at the top, where it
should be. But I prefer to use Word with its autotext
functions.