Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 318,924	$ 251,659	$ 589,886	$ 472,248
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	121,172	97,792	225,963	186,706
Selling and administrative expenses	105,324	96,277	205,971	191,682
Total operating costs and expenses	226,496	194,069	431,934	378,388
Operating profit	92,428	57,590	157,952	93,860
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,338)	(1,625)	(2,733)	(3,081)
Interest and investment income	115	204	240	479
Other - net	1,791	204	2,727	523
Total other income (expense)	568	(1,217)	234	(2,079)
Income before income taxes	92,996	56,373	158,186	91,781
Income taxes	27,754	23,942	47,047	32,618
Net income	$ 65,242	$ 32,431	$ 111,139	$ 59,163
Average common shares	68,110	67,910	68,043	67,495
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	892	926	878	922
Average common shares and common share equivalents	69,002	68,836	68,921	68,417
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.96	$ 0.48	$ 1.63	$ 0.88
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.95	$ 0.47	$ 1.61	$ 0.86
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.105	$ 0.095	$ 0.21	$ 0.19