The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.
I don’t see how this sentence is correct in Portuguese and the translation seems wrong. The first part “Em casa de ferreio” can be translated to: In the shoemakers house. The second part refers to a “espeto de pau” may refer to a sharpened stick.
perhaps the writer is trying to make a sexual joke by using the word pau. This sentence definitely does not help us learn the missing word.
I understand now. The phrase “espeto de pau” (wood skewer) is an idiomatic expression for used for someone who has a skill that is valued by others but does not make use of the skill himself. Hence in this case the barefoot shoemaker’s son is implicit and it could just as well be the daughter or wife that is barefoot.
Entendo, a frase “espeto de pau” é uma expressão de idioma em referência para uma pessoa que não use suas habilidades para própria advantage. Em este caso o filho ou outras na casa não é mencionado explicitamente.