"dog thought for a moment before asking , '' tell me , cat , you 've been here a long time , right ? '' '' right . '' said cat distractedly . her ears had picked up the tiny noises that the mice were making . '' how long ? '' asked dog . '' what ? '' asked cat , still distracted by the sound and scent of mice . '' how long have you been here , _ ..." What is the word in the blank space (_)? The answer is
cat