-the value is -N if first string is less after N-1 chars,
-+N if first string is greater after N-1 chars, or 0 if strings match.
-Each substring is represented as three arguments: BUFFER, START and END.
-That makes six args in all, three for each substring.
+Return -N if first string is less after N-1 chars, +N if first string is
+greater after N-1 chars, or 0 if strings match. Each substring is
+represented as three arguments: BUFFER, START and END. That makes six
+args in all, three for each substring.