and now using \s only, with /g modifier
$linecount_s: 3, $var after substitution: now_|is_the_time
$linecount_s: 3, $var after substitution: |for_all_good_men
$linecount_s: 7, $var after substitution: to_come_to_the_aid_of_their_|party.
$count_s: 13