Intervals between one good person in capers (9)

I believe the answer is:

distances

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'capers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'intervals between one good person in' is the wordplay.
'intervals between' becomes 'dances' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'good person' becomes 'st' (saint).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'i'+'st'='ist'
'dances' going around 'ist' is 'DISTANCES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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