Final answer:
The correct word choice to fill the blank in the given phrase is 'it', which refers to the 'Catlike malice' and retains the sentence's intended neutrality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct choice to fill the blank in the sentence 'Catlike malice, hidden well away until ______ was capable of scratching..savagely' would be 'it'. This choice fits contextually and grammatically, keeping the sentence neutral and focused on the malice rather than a specific character. The phrase expresses the idea that the animosity or malicious intent is being concealed but could manifest aggressively at an opportune moment, much like a cat that hides its claws until it's ready to use them.
The phrase 'Catlike malice, hidden well away until it was capable of scratching..savagely' means that the malice or evil intentions are hidden and will only be revealed when 'it' or the person referred to is capable of causing harm or acting aggressively. The phrase suggests that the malice is powerful and potentially dangerous.