Chapters 16-19 Summary

In Chapter 16 Augie and Thea reach her family's villa, "Casa "Descuitada" (Carefree House) in the mountain village of Acatla in Central Mexico. The villa overlooks the zócalo (cathedral square). A large colony of foreigners lives in the expensive Carlos Quinto Hotel and drinks at Hilario's bar. Thea is well known from previous visits and Augie is looked upon with suspicion.

In Acatla they begin Caligula's final training, aided by the houseboy, Jacinto. Augie would rather sell the eagle or set him free and find a way of earning money, but Thea is adamant. He blames Caligula's demanding nature for a drop in intimacy with Thea. Thea still calls Augie her lover, but never husband as Lucy had, and seems to share Mimi's opposition to marriage, but without being polemical. Tensions continue to build as Augie shows squeamishness about feeding Caligula...