Benchmark: timing 200 iterations of a, b...
         a: 26 wallclock secs (25.38 usr +  0.23 sys = 25.62 CPU) @  7.81/s (n=200)
         b: 24 wallclock secs (23.77 usr +  0.22 sys = 23.98 CPU) @  8.34/s (n=200)
    Rate   a   b
a 7.81/s  -- -6%
b 8.34/s  7%  --