He started his career as a machinist.

You would never have had the money and position you have now if he had not become an inventor.

Is it possible you would try to keep some one else from rising in life, when your own family struggled with poverty years ago ?" Miriam was silenced for a moment.

She had seldom heard her mother speak so forcibly; but Mrs.Nesbit had seen, with growing misgivings, the innate snobbishness in her daughter's character, and for a long time she had been looking for an opportunity like the one that now presented itself.
David had risen during Miriam's contemptuous speech, and had turned very white; which was always a signal that his slow wrath had been kindled at last; but since he was a child he had had such admirable control of his feelings that it had often been remarked by older people.

Miriam, however, knew the sign and resorted again to tears to draw attention to her own sufferings.
"You and mother have turned against me," she cried.