Here's a short story:

CHAPTER V 

CASTELL'S SECRET 

In John Castell's house it was the habit, as in most others in those days, for his dependents, clerks, and shopmen to eat their morning and mid-day meals with him in the hall, seated at two lower tables, all of them save Betty, his daughter's cousin and companion, who sat with them at the upper board. This morning Betty's place was empty, and presently Castell, lifting his eyes, for he was lost in thought, noted it, and asked where she might be--a question that neither Margaret nor Peter could answer. 

One of the servants at the lower table, however--it was that man who had been sent to follow d'Aguilar on the previous night--said that as he came down Holborn a while before he had seen her walking with the Spanish don, a saying at which his master looked grave. 

Just as they were finishing their meal, a very silent one, for none of them seemed to have anything to say, and after the servants had left the hall, Betty arrived, flushed as though with running. 

"Where have you been that you are so late?" asked Castell. 

"To seek the linen for the new sheets, but it was not ready," she answered glibly. "The mercer kept you waiting long," remarked Castell quietly. "Did you meet any one?" 

"Only the folk in the street." 

"I will ask you no more questions, lest I should cause you to lie and bring you into sin," said Castell sternly. "Girl, how far did you walk with the Señor d'Aguilar, and what was your business with him?"  (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: Where did John eat?
Guess: in the hall

Question: For what meals?
Guess: morning and mid-day

Question: Who joined him?
Guess: his dependents, clerks, and shopmen

Question: Who sat at the upper table?
Guess: Betty

Question: How many lower ones were there?
Guess: two

Question: Who was missing this morning?
Guess: Betty

Question: Who noticed?
Guess: Castell

Question: Did Margeret know her whereabouts?
Guess: no

Question: Did Peter?
Guess: no

Question: Who saw her last?
Guess: One of the servants at the lower table

Question: Who did he see her with?
Guess: the Spanish don

Question: Was it a lively and conversational meal?
Guess: no

Question: Did Betty arrive?
Guess: yes

Question: Did she lie about her whereabouts?
Guess: yes

Question: To whom?
Guess: Castell

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: What was her excuse for being late?

To seek the linen for the new sheets