She was admired in return by many of her African employees and acquaintances, who saw her as a thoughtful and wise figure, and turned to her for the resolution of many disputes and conflicts .
Blixen limits most of her reflections to those Europeans who were her frequent or favourite guests, such as a man she identifies only as "Old Knudsen," a down-and-out Danish fisherman who invites himself to take up residence on her farm, and then abruptly dies there.