Dear Prudence: I have been with my wonderful boyfriend for two years. I have good expectations as to the direction our relationship will go. My problem is not with him, but his 6-year-old niece.

I believe the little girl has a crush on him. My reason for thinking this? She is extremely rude to me. I have been informed by her that I have a "huge bum," I smell bad, that I'm an "idiot" . . . I'm sure you get the picture. I have ignored the insults and name-calling for some time now; she is, after all, a child. But now things have progressed.

On a recent outing, I was repeatedly shoved aside by this kid, who, while shoving, loudly proclaimed that it would be she, not me, holding his hand. When it came time to be seated at a restaurant, she gave me a shove and loudly declared that she would sit next to him, not me. Suggestions by her parents that he sit in the middle were ignored.

There were comments made to my boyfriend by the kid that later in the evening he should bring me home and come back by himself! He finally made the astute observation that he thinks she gets jealous when I am around. Well, duh.

We agreed that he would talk to his sister about the problem. Her answer was that I need to "develop a thicker skin." My boyfriend thinks talking to his niece will embarrass her, because "she is only 6 and does not know what she is doing." Help! — Sick of Dealing With It

Dear Sick: The 6-year-old sexpot knows exactly what she is doing. This child not only needs a parent to lower the boom, but a therapist, as well. Any 6-year-old kid with a crush on an uncle is unusual enough, but shoving — along with announcements that it should be she, not you, as the "date" — is kinda creepy and in no way age-appropriate.

Someone in that family is going to have to deal with this soon, or they will have a lot worse to deal with in just a few years. Tell your boyfriend that until someone gets hold of this situation, you choose not to be anywhere near this mouthy little horror. — Prudie, unwaveringly

Pru: It seems I've committed the sin that befalls so many wives: I snooped. I saw a folder in my husband's e-mail account labeled with a female name (an acquaintance of mine), and I let my curiosity overcome me. The typical story of snooping follows.

I would've been much happier being ignorant about the information this folder contained. The e-mails are in no way subtle; they talk blatantly of sex. Not of having it, mind you, but of wanting it (very badly) with each other.

These e-mails are dated when my husband and I were engaged. This was almost a year ago, and I do not believe they are continuing in this manner any longer. However, I do not understand why my husband would keep such incriminating e-mails. Should I bring the matter up with him? — Remorseful Snoop

Dear Re: If you and your husband communicate well, you might ask about the timing of the steamy e-mails . . . but then be prepared to defend your prying. As to why they are still there, Prudie doesn't know about you, but there are tons of outdated files on old Pru's computer.

If you are able to put your questions and concerns aside and gauge his actual behavior — now — do that, and move on. Because you sign yourself "remorseful," let your penance for snooping be to say nothing, and go forth and snoop no more. — Prudie, reparationally

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Dear Prudence is written by Margo Howard, Ann Landers' daughter. All letters must be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Due to a high volume of e-mail, not all letters will be answered.