WP_Query giving too many posts

$count = 3;
$q = new WP_Query( array(
            'orderby'          => 'date',
            'posts_per_page'   => "{$count}"
        ) );
        if ( $q->have_posts() ) : while ( $q->have_posts() ) : $q->the_post();
        // spit out the stuff
        endwhile; endif; wp_reset_postdata();

— the above provides 7 posts…not 3

$count = 3;
$q = new WP_Query( array(
            'orderby'          => 'date',
            'posts_per_page'   => "{$count}"
        ) );
        $counter = 0;
        if ( $q->have_posts() ) : while ( $q->have_posts() && $counter++ < $count ) : $q->the_post();
        // spit out the stuff
        endwhile; endif; wp_reset_postdata();

Of course, this limits it to 3 posts…

But WHY won’t the first work and show just 3?