This can be found on page 5 of the novel. The principal, Mr. Bepo Adewale, was weeping uncontrollably during the morning assembly. While several staff members, including the Vice Principal, gathered around to find out what was wrong, he continued to sob freely and could not utter a word.

Mrs. Titi (Nurse Titi) offered the handkerchief to him because he was a "weeper" in that moment of distress, and along with other staff, she began helping him back to his office as they were unable to get him to stop crying or explain his plight.