Sentence:  Inside , as soon as Mr. Skopas had disclosed - in a hoarse whisper - the detective 's <WSD>errand</WSD> , his family gathered in a huddle , forming a mass of dark flesh on and around a brocaded sofa which stood at one side of a baroque fireplace . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission