async def serviceNodeMsgs(self, limit: int) -> int:
        """
        Process `limit` number of messages from the nodeInBox.

        :param limit: the maximum number of messages to process
        :return: the number of messages successfully processed
        """
        with self.metrics.measure_time(MetricsName.SERVICE_NODE_STACK_TIME):
            n = await self.nodestack.service(limit, self.quota_control.node_quota)

        self.metrics.add_event(MetricsName.NODE_STACK_MESSAGES_PROCESSED, n)

        await self.processNodeInBox()
        return n
Process `limit` number of messages from the nodeInBox.

        :param limit: the maximum number of messages to process
        :return: the number of messages successfully processed