2 + 2 = 4

The contempt of that large-minded gentleman (Mr. Roscoe Conkling) is so wilting; his haughty disdain, his grandiloquist swell, his majestic, supereminent, overpowering, turkey-gobbler strut has been so crushing to myself and all the members of this house that I know it was an act of the greatest temerity for me to venture upon a controversy with him.

[Jacob] pilled white streaks […] in the rods.

Self-employment lacks the security of working for a big company, but at least the only idiot boss you will meet is yourself.