But at least once in the show the court of heaven itself appears.

More significant, the Court appears to have gotten ahead of its own calendar.

In fact, the court appeared to agree, at one point apologizing for its decision.

The court does not appear to have dealt directly with this argument.

Two years ago the court had appeared to foreclose further challenges.

The court appeared as divided as the rest of the country.

With at least two months to go before the current term ends, the court appears to have entered a particularly contentious period.

But the Court this year appears more than usually bogged down in important cases that were argued months earlier.

A rustle of expectancy went through them as Court appeared.

Thus, prosecutors and defense lawyers here say, the court appears to be feeling its way gingerly.