I remember thinking that 3 years is a long time. It didn't seem to match with what the family had gone through at the farm. But I just chalked it up to the story being told by men. The Narator and author, both men. Throughout the novel I have questioned the amount of time that has passed. It is never really clear. Woman make a much greater deal about time and neglect of writing, I think.

Dr. Primrose had no problem staying at the Inn for 3 weeks or more and then staying a few days here and a few weeks there after his flight after Olivia. You never hear about him writing home to his wife and family to explain what has happened and where he is. I think it is just because the novel is from a man's point of view. A woman would have written or at least explained why so much time could pass without word to loved ones.