Why did the fathers response surprise the kidnappers in The Ransom of Red Chief?

In "The Ransom of Red Chief," the father's response surprises the kidnappers because, instead of being frantic or desperate to get his son back, he seems unfazed and even amused by the situation. He plays along with the kidnappers' demands and ultimately asks them for money to take his son back, revealing that he views the boy as more of a nuisance than a treasure. This unexpected reaction turns the tables on the kidnappers, who anticipated a typical ransom scenario.