It wasn't so much what the staff said, as how they treated the boys. The boys constantly tried to alienate the staff, they wanted them to fear them. They wanted the people who were taking care of them to be afraid. The staff's kindness wasn't welcome to a group of boys who'd become seasoned soldiers. The boys wanted respect and because nothing they did or said to the staff got the desired reaction, they became increasingly frustrated and angry. Their time spent as soldiers had hardened them...... to give into kindness made them feel weak. They responded with harsh words. violence, and vandalism, in order to retain what they believed to be their honor.