There is no logical explanation for why he quit, and Sammy won't be able to give one to his parents. They got him the job in the first place, as Updike explains: “He (Lengel) has been friends with my parents for years, “Sammy, you don't want to do this to your mother and father,” he tells me. It's true, I don't know, but it seems to me that once a gesture has been started it is inevitable not to complete it (467)”. This is where Sammy has to make a big decision and he chooses the wrong decision. He could just forget about the queen and her followers, but he still thinks they care and they clearly don't. He later realizes that he has made a huge mistake and feels the weight of his actions crushing him. His actions are unjustified due to his lack of hindsight, as his action affects his family, him, the store, and most importantly the manager. Lengel is also someone who is hurt by his actions; he has to replace the cashier until they find a new one and that's no job for a stiff, sore old man