CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Comprehensive Income.
Balance at Oct. 31, 2008	$ 364,675	$ 35,485	$ 337,734	$ (8,544)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.80, $0.72, $0.60 per share during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(21,403)		(21,403)
Issuance of 504,760, 703,930, and 1,201,256 shares under stock-based compensation plans during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	17,725	1,201	16,524
Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust	118		118
Purchase of 2,296,380, 2,678,474 and 3,316,536 shares of common stock during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(115,284)	(3,317)	(111,967)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	7,403		7,403
Retirement benefits adjustment, net of tax	(2,633)			(2,633)	(2,633)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,286			13,286	13,286
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	(11,512)			(11,512)	(11,512)
Net earnings	62,837		62,837		62,837
Total comprehensive income					61,978
Balance at Oct. 31, 2009	315,212	33,369	291,246	(9,403)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.80, $0.72, $0.60 per share during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(23,721)		(23,721)
Issuance of 504,760, 703,930, and 1,201,256 shares under stock-based compensation plans during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	23,052	704	22,348
Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust	70		70
Purchase of 2,296,380, 2,678,474 and 3,316,536 shares of common stock during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(135,777)	(2,678)	(133,099)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	3,396		3,396
Retirement benefits adjustment, net of tax	681			681	681
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(640)			(640)	(640)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	300			300	300
Net earnings	93,237		93,237		93,237
Total comprehensive income					93,578
Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	275,810	31,395	253,477	(9,062)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.80, $0.72, $0.60 per share during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(24,970)		(24,970)
Issuance of 504,760, 703,930, and 1,201,256 shares under stock-based compensation plans during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	22,868	504	22,364
Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust	132		132
Purchase of 2,296,380, 2,678,474 and 3,316,536 shares of common stock during 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively	(129,955)	(2,296)	(127,659)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	2,988		2,988
Retirement benefits adjustment, net of tax	(539)			(539)	(539)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	104			104	104
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	2,671			2,671	2,671
Net earnings	117,658		117,658		117,658
Total comprehensive income					119,894
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 266,767	$ 29,603	$ 243,990	$ (6,826)