Barkley's Somali chick

At that particular time in history--before and after World War I--it was not acceptable in society for whites and blacks to 'mix.' However, I think that Finch-Hatton's & Baroness Blixen's surprise was not due to the mixing of the races; it was more because Berkley, close friend that he was, had never confided to his friends about his lady love.

There was also the problem of her being a Somali. She was not like that of the native people they were working with.

It's all about hypocrisy.
In the Colonial Age men were sent all around the world to establish the government of their native countries in the recently conquered countries. Living there they used to have a somehow "familiar" life with an indigene woman even when they had a wife in their home contries waiting for them to come back after a while. When they returned to their countries they left their secondary familiy often without any means for living. It was a nice episode, not more. At home, nobody knew about their "double life". They pickes up their former life as if nothing had happened.
The movie makes it look as if Karen and Denys in a way apreciated the relationship between Barkley and "his" native woman. I doubt in reality they would have done so.

English is not my first language. Any corrections are welcome.