It means which product is greater (bigger) so it would be (-4) because they're both negative numbers but (-4) is greater because it is closer to zero or to positive numbers.
The community already had deep seated resentments and petty squabbles going on between them. The girls were able to introduce fear, conjecture, and intimidation among the population. People like mr. Putnam, used the hysteria created by the girls to cheat people out of their land. Others settled petty grievances by charging others with witchcraft. Hehe
