Final answer:
The Latin word d) prīma is the key to understanding the gender of the mice in the story as it is an adjective that must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, indicating that the mice are female.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ascertain the gender of the mice referenced in the story, we must identify a Latin word that conveys gender. The available options include various Latin words, each with different implications regarding gender. As we analyze the options, it's essential to consider Latin grammar rules, specifically the agreement of adjectives with their corresponding nouns in terms of gender, number, and case.
Upon examination of the provided options, the correct answer is D) prīma (line 6), as it is an adjective that must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it describes. Since prīma is the feminine singular nominative form of the adjective, it suggests that the noun it modifies is also feminine singular in the context of the story. Therefore, this indicates that the mice being referred to are female.