Read "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" by Robert Tressell online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Viewed from outside, the `Cricketers Arms' was a pretentious-looking building with plate-glass windows and a profusion of gilding. The pilasters were painted in imitation of different marbles and the doors grained to represent costly woods. There were panels containing painted advertisements of wines and spirits and beer, written in gold, and ornamented with gaudy colours. On the lintel over the principal entrance was inscribed in small white letters:
`A. Harpy. Licensed to sell wines, spirits and malt liquor by retail to be consumed either on or off the premises.'