Because of the lagoon adventure, the Indians became Peter’s friends. Peter had saved Tiger Lily’s life. Now she and her tribe kept faithful watch over the Lost Boys’ underground home. Night and day, they guarded Peter and his family. They called Peter "The Great White Father," which he quite liked. He would say to them, "The Great White Father is glad to see the warriors protecting his home from the pirates." But Tiger Lily did not want Wendy to be called Peter’s wife. The Indian princess had become quite fond of the little boy as well. And, like Tinker Bell, she was jealous of Wendy.
One evening, the Indians were at their watch as usual while the children were having dinner below. Peter wasn’t home because he had gone to find out the time. On the island, one found out the time by finding the crocodile. When the clock inside the crocodile struck the hour, one knew what time it was.
The meal was make-believe, and the boys were particularly noisy and difficult. Wendy asked for silence.
"If you have any complaints," she said, "you must first raise your hands to speak." All their hands went up at once.
"Slightly is eating all the food!"
"Nibs is sneezing on the table!"
"The twins took too much dessert!"
"Curly isn’t using his knife and fork!"
After the meal, things quieted down. They all helped clean the table and put the door away. Wendy went back to her sewing while the boys danced and played by the fire. It was a familiar scene in their home, perhaps for the last time.
Suddenly they could hear footsteps above them. "Children, that must be your father," said Wendy. "He likes it when you greet him."
Outside, Peter was saying good night to the Indians. "Keep a safe watch over us tonight!" he said, before slipping into his tree. When he opened the round door underground, the children joyfully dragged him from his tunnel. Peter had brought nuts for the boys and the time of day for Wendy.
"Peter, you will spoil them, you know," Wendy said.
"Father," said Curly, "we’re dancing and we want you to dance with us."
Peter liked dancing, but for fun he pretended to be a tired father coming home from work. "Me?" he groaned. "My old bones can hardly walk!"
"And we want Mother to dance too," said Slightly.
"What?" cried Wendy, joining the game. "This old mother of so many boys has lots to do!"
"But it’s Saturday night!" shouted Michael. However, no one knew if it was really Saturday night. They had lost count of the days of the week long ago. When they wanted to have a special evening, they always called it "Saturday night."
Peter and Wendy promised to dance with them, but first the boys would have to put on their pajamas and get ready for bed. While they waited for the boys, Peter joined Wendy at the fire. She looked at him lovingly.
"They are sweet, our little family, don’t you think?" said Wendy. Peter suddenly looked troubled. "What is it, Peter?"
"It’s only make-believe that I am their father, right?" replied Peter in a shaky voice.
"Oh, yes," said Wendy.
"You see," he continued, "it would make me old to be their real father."
"Peter, after all this time together, what do I mean to you?" asked Wendy.
His answer was not what she had hoped for. "I am your devoted son," replied Peter.
"I understand," she said, but it really was very confusing. Wendy got up from her seat and went to another corner of the room.
"Sometimes you are very strange," Peter said to her. "And so is Tiger Lily. She says she wants to mean something to me, but doesn’t want to be my mother."
"Perhaps Tinker Bell can explain it to you," Wendy answered, frowning.