Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 312,255	$ 279,121	$ 902,141	$ 751,369
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	124,205	113,320	350,168	300,026
Selling and administrative expenses	109,394	98,106	315,365	289,788
Total operating costs and expenses	233,599	211,426	665,533	589,814
Operating profit	78,656	67,695	236,608	161,555
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(827)	(1,580)	(3,560)	(4,661)
Interest and investment income	190	170	430	649
Other - net	169	177	2,896	700
Total other income (expense)	(468)	(1,233)	(234)	(3,312)
Income before income taxes	78,188	66,462	236,374	158,243
Income taxes	21,638	11,133	68,685	43,751
Net income	$ 56,550	$ 55,329	$ 167,689	$ 114,492
Average common shares	67,945	68,095	67,998	67,616
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, nonvested stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	836	674	864	839
Average common shares and common share equivalents	68,781	68,769	68,862	68,455
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.83	$ 0.81	$ 2.47	$ 1.69
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.82	$ 0.80	$ 2.44	$ 1.67
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.105	$ 0.095	$ 0.315	$ 0.285