Most of the people had left.

Those who remained did so because they couldn't afford to shift, or because they were too lazy to go.
Professor Thunder had been doing good business, and his expenses were light.

He could afford to play tricks, but he played a foolish prank in trying to amuse Rabbit township.

Rabbit was incapable of being amused.
There remained an open hotel at Rabbit, and the Professor called on its proprietor to gather useful information concerning the inhabitants, their tastes and habits.

He found Schmitz, the portly proprietor, sprawling on his own bar counter, embracing a bottle of squareface with a loving hug.
The two arms of Schmitz caressed the bottle, his cheek was pressed amorously to the cork.