Actually, I think Bruce has a fair amount of respect for Harley these days - the last time they met, he was fairly civil towards her. I think he appreciates it when someone is genuinely trying to reform, and believes in giving them a chance to do so. My guess is that, as you said, this is Dick trying too hard - he's going 'right, now that I'm Batman, I've got to start establishing myself. Keep up the reputation, that sort of thing - do what he'd do. What first? Uh... terrorize ex-criminals! Yeah, that's the ticket! Spooky voice, yank 'em off the street, 'stay on the straight and narrow - OR ELSE!' Yeah, that should work. Come, psycho demon-boy! We're off to scare the citizenry!'